Posted on Jan 16, 2025
EXCLUSIVE: Air Force reworking approach for T-7A Red Hawk, delaying production by 1 year -...
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The Air Force is changing course for the development of the T-7A Red Hawk training jet, delaying a key milestone by a year while offering new cash opportunities for prime contractor Boeing in exchange for changes to the aircraft, according to service acquisition chief Andrew Hunter.
Under the new plan, the start of the trainer’s production phase, or Milestone C decision, will be pushed back to 2026. To counter that delay, the Air Force will acquire four new production-representative aircraft to provide extra testing capacity, which Hunter said can help accelerate aspects of the program so that initial operational capability (IOC) can be achieved in 2027.
Fielding the T-7A, meant to replace the service’s fleet of T-38 Talons, is “critical,” Hunter said in a Monday interview at the Pentagon. “And the question is, how do we just make sure for AETC [Air Education and Training Command] that we deliver?”
Under the new plan, the start of the trainer’s production phase, or Milestone C decision, will be pushed back to 2026. To counter that delay, the Air Force will acquire four new production-representative aircraft to provide extra testing capacity, which Hunter said can help accelerate aspects of the program so that initial operational capability (IOC) can be achieved in 2027.
Fielding the T-7A, meant to replace the service’s fleet of T-38 Talons, is “critical,” Hunter said in a Monday interview at the Pentagon. “And the question is, how do we just make sure for AETC [Air Education and Training Command] that we deliver?”
EXCLUSIVE: Air Force reworking approach for T-7A Red Hawk, delaying production by 1 year -...
Posted from breakingdefense.com
Aviation
Flying
Boeing
Posted 11 mo ago
Responses: 3
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Guess they are long overdue for a new jet trainer with changing technology although the 38 Talon has and still serves well but it has been around a long time. The T38 Talon is NOT capable of in Flight refueling where the proposed replacement T7A is a lot altitudes even down to 20 feet and well as higher levels such as 3,000 feet.
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The acquisition system needs to change IMHO. The current system is rife with cost overruns, missing deadlines, etc.
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Two years late, overbudget and, zero airframes to display. The perfect military project. We never learn.
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